UPSC Prelims 2008

General Studies Paper I

150 questions, 2 hours. Open a question for its answer and why.

1. Question 1 · Logical Reasoning and Mental Ability

   In the series AABABCABCDABCDE... which letter occupies the 100th position?

   aH

   bI

   cJ

   dK
2. Question 2 · Logical Reasoning and Mental Ability

   What is the number of terms in the series 117, 120, 123, 126, ..., 333?

   a72

   b73

   c76

   d79
3. Question 3 · Basic Numeracy

   In how many different ways can four books A, B, C and D be arranged one above another in a vertical order such that the books A and B are never in continuous position?

   a9

   b12

   c14

   d18
4. Question 4 · Basic Numeracy

   Carpenter A can make a chair in 6 hours, carpenter B in 7 hours and carpenter C in 8 hours. If each carpenter works for 8 hours per day, how many chairs will be made in 21 days?

   a61

   b67

   c73

   d79
5. Question 5 · Basic Numeracy

   A person purchases 100 pens at a discount of 10%. The net amount of money spent by the person to purchase the pens is Rs 600. The selling expenses incurred by the person are 15% on the net cost price. What should be the selling price for 100 pens in order to earn a profit of 25%?

   aRs 802·50

   bRs 811·25

   cRs 862·50

   dRs 875
6. Question 6 · Basic Numeracy

   A schoolteacher has to select the maximum possible number of different groups of 3 students out of a total of 6 students. In how many groups any particular student will be included?

   a6

   b8

   c10

   d12
7. Question 7 · Basic Numeracy

   In an examination, 70% of the students passed in the Paper I, and 60% of the students passed in the Paper II. 15% of the students failed in both the papers while 270 students passed in both the papers. What is the total number of students?

   a600

   b580

   c560

   d540
8. Question 8 · Science and Technology

   What is Bisphenol A (BPA)?

   aA medical test for detecting cancer

   bA test for testing the use of drugs to improve performance by athletes

   cA chemical used for the development of food-packaging materials

   dA special type of alloy steel
9. Question 9 · Economy and Social Development

   Which of the following pairs about India's economic indicator and agricultural production (all in rounded figures) are correctly matched?

   1. 1.GDP per capita (current prices) : Rs 37,000
   2. 2.Rice : 180 million tons
   3. 3.Wheat : 75 million tons

   Select the correct answer using the code given below :

   a1, 2 and 3

   b1 and 2 only

   c2 and 3 only

   d1 and 3 only
10. Question 10 · Logical Reasoning and Mental Ability

    March 1, 2008 was Saturday. Which day was it on March 1, 2002?

    aThursday

    bFriday

    cSaturday

    dSunday
11. Question 11 · Economy and Social Development

    In August 2006, the Government of India notified the Rural Electrification Policy. This policy aims at provision of access to all households by which year?

    a2008

    b2009

    c2010

    d2012
12. Question 12 · Economy and Social Development

    As per India's National Population Policy, 2000, by which one of the following years is it our long-term objective to achieve population stabilization?

    a2025

    b2035

    c2045

    d2055
13. Question 13 · Economy and Social Development

    Which one of the following Union Ministries is implementing the Biodiesel Mission (as Nodal Ministry)?

    aMinistry of Agriculture

    bMinistry of Science and Technology

    cMinistry of New and Renewable Energy

    dMinistry of Rural Development
14. Question 14 · Economy and Social Development

    Consider the following statements with reference to Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS):

    1. 1.All persons of 60 years or above belonging to the households below poverty line in rural areas are eligible.
    2. 2.The Central Assistance under this Scheme is at the rate of Rs 300 per month per beneficiary. Under the Scheme, States have been urged to give matching amounts.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    a1 only

    b2 only

    cBoth 1 and 2

    dNeither 1 nor 2
15. Question 15 · Economy and Social Development

    What is the name of the scheme which provides training and skills to women in traditional and non-traditional trades?

    aKishori Shakti Yojna

    bRashtriya Mahila Kosh

    cSwayamsiddha

    dSwalamban
16. Question 16 · History and Culture

    Consider the following statements:

    1. 1.Orange Prize is awarded to a work of published fiction in English by a woman.
    2. 2.Pulitzer Prize is awarded by the Commonwealth Foundation to a citizen of any Commonwealth country for any literary work in English.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    a1 only

    b2 only

    cBoth 1 and 2

    dNeither 1 nor 2
17. Question 17 · History and Culture

    Recently, the manuscripts of which one of the following have been included in the UNESCO's Memory of World Register?

    aAbhidhamma Pitaka

    bMahabharata

    cRamayana

    dRig-Veda
18. Question 18 · Science and Technology

    Selene-1, the lunar orbiter mission belongs to which one of the following?

    aChina

    bEuropean Union

    cJapan

    dUSA
19. Question 19 · Science and Technology

    From which one of the following did India buy the Barak anti-missile defence systems?

    aIsrael

    bFrance

    cRussia

    dUSA
20. Question 20 · Environment and Ecology

    Consider the following:

    1. 1.Rice fields
    2. 2.Coal mining
    3. 3.Domestic animals
    4. 4.Wetlands

    Which of the above are sources of methane, a major greenhouse gas?

    a1 and 4 only

    b2 and 3 only

    c1, 2 and 3 only

    d1, 2, 3 and 4
21. Question 21 · Polity and Governance

    What is the number of spokes in the Dharmachakra in the National Flag of India?

    a16

    b18

    c22

    d24
22. Question 22 · Geography

    Which one of the following is not essentially a species of the Himalayan vegetation?

    aJuniper

    bMahogany

    cSilver fir

    dSpruce
23. Question 23 · Geography

    Which of the following hills are found where the Eastern Ghats and the Western Ghats meet?

    aAnaimalai Hills

    bCardamom Hills

    cNilgiri Hills

    dShevaroy Hills
24. Question 24 · Geography

    Consider the following pairs: Tributary River – Main River

    1. 1.Chambal : Narmada
    2. 2.Sone : Yamuna
    3. 3.Manas : Brahmaputra

    Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

    a1, 2 and 3

    b1 and 2 only

    c2 and 3 only

    d3 only
25. Question 25 · Environment and Ecology

    Consider the following statements:

    1. 1.Salt-water crocodile is found in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
    2. 2.Shrew and tapir are found in the Western Ghats of the Malabar region.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    a1 only

    b2 only

    cBoth 1 and 2

    dNeither 1 nor 2
26. Question 26 · Geography

    Which one amongst the following has the largest livestock population in the world?

    aBrazil

    bChina

    cIndia

    dUSA
27. Question 27 · Polity and Governance

    How many High Courts in India have jurisdiction over more than one State (Union Territories not included)?

    a2

    b3

    c4

    d5
28. Question 28 · Science and Technology

    In which one of the following kinds of organisms is the phenomenon found wherein the female kills the male after copulation?

    aDragonfly

    bHoneybee

    cSpider

    dPit viper
29. Question 29 · Environment and Ecology

    For which one of the following snakes is the diet mainly composed of other snakes?

    aKrait

    bRussell's viper

    cRattlesnake

    dKing cobra
30. Question 30 · Science and Technology

    Which one of the following is an insectivorous plant?

    aPassion flower plant

    bPitcher plant

    cNight queen

    dFlame of the forest
31. Question 31 · International Relations and Current Affairs

    Starting with the Australian Open Lawn Tennis Tournament, which one of the following is the correct chronological order of the other three major Lawn Tennis Tournaments?

    aFrench Open — US Open — Wimbledon

    bFrench Open — Wimbledon — US Open

    cWimbledon — US Open — French Open

    dWimbledon — French Open — US Open
32. Question 32 · Geography

    In which one of the following is Malta located?

    aBaltic Sea

    bMediterranean Sea

    cBlack Sea

    dNorth Sea
33. Question 33 · Science and Technology

    ISRO successfully conducted a rocket test using cryogenic engines in the year 2007. Where is the test-stand used for the purpose, located?

    aBalasore

    bThiruvananthapuram

    cMahendragiri

    dKarwar
34. Question 34 · International Relations and Current Affairs

    Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists: List-I (Service/Agency) A. Foreign Intelligence Service B. Ministry of State Security C. Secret Intelligence Service D. The Mossad List-II (Country) 1. Israel 2. Britain 3. China 4. Russia Code:

    aA B C D 4 1 2 3

    bA B C D 2 3 4 1

    cA B C D 4 3 2 1

    dA B C D 2 1 4 3
35. Question 35 · International Relations and Current Affairs

    C. Rangarajan has been actively involved in the Pan-Asian Commission addressing to which one of the following issues?

    aPromotion of tourism in the Asian region

    bImpact of HIV/AIDS in the Asian region

    cPromotion of free trade in the Asian region

    dHigher technical education in the universities in the Asian region
36. Question 36 · Science and Technology

    What is the pH level of blood of a normal person?

    a4·5 – 4·6

    b6·45 – 6·55

    c7·35 – 7·45

    d8·25 – 8·35
37. Question 37 · Polity and Governance

    Who among the following have held the office of the Vice-President of India?

    1. 1.Mohammad Hidayatullah
    2. 2.Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed
    3. 3.Neelam Sanjiva Reddy
    4. 4.Shankar Dayal Sharma

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    a1, 2, 3 and 4

    b1 and 4 only

    c2 and 3 only

    d3 and 4 only
38. Question 38 · Polity and Governance

    Which was the Capital of Andhra State when it was made a separate State in the year 1953?

    aGuntur

    bKurnool

    cNellore

    dWarangal
39. Question 39 · International Relations and Current Affairs

    Which one of the following is correct in respect of Indian football team's performance in the Olympic Games?

    aIndia has never participated in the Olympic Football Tournament

    bIndia played only in the First Round

    cIndia entered only up to the Quarter Finals

    dIndia entered the Semi Finals
40. Question 40 · Geography

    In which one of the following States are Namchik-Namphuk Coalfields located?

    aArunachal Pradesh

    bMeghalaya

    cManipur

    dMizoram
41. Question 41 · Economy and Social Development

    Norman Ernest Borlaug who is regarded as the father of the Green Revolution in India is from which country?

    aUnited States of America

    bMexico

    cAustralia

    dNew Zealand
42. Question 42 · International Relations and Current Affairs

    Yom Kippur War was fought between which sides/countries?

    aTurkey and Greece

    bSerbs and Croats

    cIsrael, and Arab countries led by Egypt and Syria

    dIran and Iraq
43. Question 43 · Science and Technology

    Consider the following statements about probiotic food:

    1. 1.Probiotic food contains live bacteria which are considered beneficial to humans.
    2. 2.Probiotic food helps in maintaining gut flora.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    a1 only

    b2 only

    cBoth 1 and 2

    dNeither 1 nor 2
44. Question 44 · Science and Technology

    Consider the following statements:

    1. 1.The albedo of an object determines its visual brightness when viewed with reflected light.
    2. 2.The albedo of Mercury is much greater than the albedo of the Earth.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    a1 only

    b2 only

    cBoth 1 and 2

    dNeither 1 nor 2
45. Question 45 · Polity and Governance

    Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists: List-I (Person) A. Nagender Singh B. A. N. Ray C. R. K. Trivedi D. Ashok Desai List-II (Position) 1. Chief Election Commissioner of India 2. President, International Court of Justice 3. Chief Justice of India 4. Attorney General of India Code:

    aA-1 B-4 C-2 D-3

    bA-2 B-3 C-1 D-4

    cA-1 B-3 C-2 D-4

    dA-2 B-4 C-1 D-3
46. Question 46 · History and Culture

    What does Baudhayana theorem (Baudhayana Sulva Sutra) relate to?

    aLengths of sides of a right-angled triangle

    bCalculation of the value of pi

    cLogarithmic calculations

    dNormal distribution curve
47. Question 47 · Science and Technology

    Which of the following pairs is/are correctly matched? Theory/Law — Associated Scientist

    1. 1.Continental Drift : Edwin Hubble
    2. 2.Expansion of Universe : Alfred Wegener
    3. 3.Photoelectric Effect : Albert Einstein

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    a2 and 3 only

    b3 only

    c2 only

    d1 only
48. Question 48 · Geography

    Which of the following minerals are found in a natural way in the State of Chhattisgarh?

    1. 1.Bauxite
    2. 2.Dolomite
    3. 3.Iron ore
    4. 4.Tin

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    a1, 2 and 3 only

    b1 and 3 only

    c2 and 4 only

    d1, 2, 3 and 4
49. Question 49 · Geography

    On which one of the following rivers is the Tehri Hydropower Complex located?

    aAlaknanda

    bBhagirathi

    cDhauliganga

    dMandakini
50. Question 50 · Geography

    Which one of the following cities is nearest to the equator?

    aColombo

    bJakarta

    cManila

    dSingapore
51. Question 51 · Geography

    Which of the following pairs are correctly matched? Waterfalls — River

    1. 1.Kapildhara Falls : Godavari
    2. 2.Jog Falls : Sharavati
    3. 3.Sivasamudram Falls : Cauvery

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    a1 and 2 only

    b2 and 3 only

    c1 and 3 only

    d1, 2 and 3
52. Question 52 · Geography

    Which one of the following straits is nearest to the International Date Line?

    aMalacca Strait

    bBering Strait

    cStrait of Florida

    dStrait of Gibraltar
53. Question 53 · Economy and Social Development

    Which of the following pairs in respect of current power generation in India is/are correctly matched? (Rounded Figure)

    1. 1.Installed electricity generation capacity : 100000 MW
    2. 2.Electricity generation : 660 billion kWh

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    a1 only

    b2 only

    cBoth 1 and 2

    dNeither 1 nor 2
54. Question 54 · Geography

    Which of the following pairs are correctly matched? Irrigation Project — State

    1. 1.Damanganga : Gujarat
    2. 2.Girna : Maharashtra
    3. 3.Pamba : Kerala

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    a1 and 2 only

    b2 and 3 only

    c1 and 3 only

    d1, 2 and 3
55. Question 55 · History and Culture

    Who among the following rejected the title of Knighthood and refused to accept a position in the Council of the Secretary of State for India?

    aMotilal Nehru

    bM. G. Ranade

    cG. K. Gokhale

    dB. G. Tilak
56. Question 56 · History and Culture

    During the time of which Mughal Emperor did the English East India Company establish its first factory in India?

    aAkbar

    bJahangir

    cShahjahan

    dAurangzeb
57. Question 57 · Economy and Social Development

    The term “Prisoner’s Dilemma” is associated with which one of the following?

    aA technique in glass manufacture

    bA term used in shipping industry

    cA situation under the Game Theory

    dName of a supercomputer
58. Question 58 · History and Culture

    During the Indian Freedom Struggle, who of the following raised an army called ‘Free Indian Legion’?

    aLala Hardayal

    bRashbehari Bose

    cSubhas Chandra Bose

    dV. D. Savarkar
59. Question 59 · History and Culture

    Which one of the following suggested the reconstitution of the Viceroy’s Executive Council in which all the portfolios including that of War Members were to be held by the Indian leaders?

    aSimon Commission

    bSimla Conference

    cCripps Proposal

    dCabinet Mission
60. Question 60 · Science and Technology

    What is Agent Orange?

    aAn ace spying group trained by the Police in London

    bA weed-killing chemical used by the US Military in the Vietnam War

    cA technique used in the advanced railway safety procedure

    dA special chemical used in making alloy steel
61. Question 61 · Geography

    Which of the following countries share borders with Moldova?

    1. 1.Ukraine
    2. 2.Romania
    3. 3.Belarus

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    a1 and 2 only

    b2 and 3 only

    c1 and 3 only

    d1, 2 and 3
62. Question 62 · International Relations and Current Affairs

    India is a member of which of the following?

    1. 1.Asian Development Bank
    2. 2.Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
    3. 3.Colombo Plan
    4. 4.Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    a1 and 3 only

    b2 and 4 only

    c1, 2 and 3 only

    d1, 2, 3 and 4
63. Question 63 · Geography

    Consider the following statements:

    1. 1.Ajman is one of the seven Emirates of the UAE.
    2. 2.Ras al-Khaimah was the last Sheikhdom to join the UAE.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    a1 only

    b2 only

    cBoth 1 and 2

    dNeither 1 nor 2
64. Question 64 · Polity and Governance

    Which one of the following is the largest (area-wise) Lok Sabha constituency?

    aKangra

    bLadakh

    cKachchh

    dBhilwara
65. Question 65 · Economy and Social Development

    For India, China, the UK and the USA, which one of the following is the correct sequence of the median age of their populations?

    aChina < India < UK < USA

    bIndia < China < USA < UK

    cChina < India < USA < UK

    dIndia < China < UK < USA
66. Question 66 · International Relations and Current Affairs

    Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists: List-I (Person) A. Sabyasachi Mukherjee B. Aniruddha Bahal C. Vikram Akula D. Yusuf Hamied List-II (Area) 1. Microfinance loans 2. Pharmaceuticals 3. Fashion designing 4. Investigative journalism

    aA-1 B-2 C-3 D-4

    bA-3 B-4 C-1 D-2

    cA-1 B-4 C-3 D-2

    dA-3 B-2 C-1 D-4
67. Question 67 · Polity and Governance

    Consider the following statements: 1. Justice V. R. Krishna Iyer was the Chief Justice of India. 2. Justice V. R. Krishna Iyer is considered as one of the progenitors of public interest litigation (PIL) in the Indian judicial system. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    a1 only

    b2 only

    cBoth 1 and 2

    dNeither 1 nor 2
68. Question 68 · History and Culture

    Ebrahim Alkazi is an eminent personality in which one of the following areas?

    aHeart surgery

    bCivil aviation

    cTheatre training

    dTransport engineering
69. Question 69 · Geography

    Consider the following statements:

    1. 1.Chikmagalur is well-known for sugar production.
    2. 2.Mandya is well-known as a coffee-producing region.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    a1 only

    b2 only

    cBoth 1 and 2

    dNeither 1 nor 2
70. Question 70 · History and Culture

    Bimbavati Devi is a well-known dancer of which type of dance?

    aManipuri

    bBharat Natyam

    cKuchipudi

    dOdissi
71. Question 71 · International Relations and Current Affairs

    How is Sarosh Zaiwalla well-known as?

    aA leading theatre personality

    bA leading wildlife photographer

    cA leading international legal expert

    dA leading orthopaedic surgeon
72. Question 72 · Economy and Social Development

    Where are Tapovan and Vishnugarh Hydroelectric Projects located?

    aMadhya Pradesh

    bUttar Pradesh

    cUttarakhand

    dRajasthan
73. Question 73 · History and Culture

    Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists: List-I (Author) A. Bankimchandra B. Dinabandhu Mitra C. Premchand List-II (Work) 1. Shatranj Ke Khilari 2. Debi Chaudhurani 3. Nil-Darpan 4. Chandrakanta

    aA-2 B-4 C-1

    bA-3 B-4 C-2

    cA-2 B-3 C-1

    dA-3 B-1 C-4
74. Question 74 · History and Culture

    Who among the following gave a systematic critique of the moderate politics of the Indian National Congress in a series of articles entitled New Lamps for Old?

    aAurobindo Ghosh

    bR. C. Dutt

    cSyed Ahmad Khan

    dViraraghavachari
75. Question 75 · History and Culture

    Who among the following used the phrase ‘Un-British’ to criticize the English colonial control of India?

    aAnandmohan Bose

    bBadruddin Tyabji

    cDadabhai Naoroji

    dPherozeshah Mehta
76. Question 76 · Geography

    Among the Indian languages, which one is spoken maximum in the world after Hindi?

    aTelugu

    bTamil

    cBengali

    dMalayalam
77. Question 77 · Science and Technology

    Who among the following discovered heavy water?

    aHeinrich Hertz

    bH. C. Urey

    cG. Mendel

    dJoseph Priestley
78. Question 78 · International Relations and Current Affairs

    Kim Dae-jung won the Nobel Prize for Peace. He is from which one of the following countries?

    aVietnam

    bCambodia

    cSouth Korea

    dJapan
79. Question 79 · International Relations and Current Affairs

    Ogaden region has been a source of conflict between which countries?

    aMorocco and Algeria

    bNigeria and Cameroon

    cAngola and Zambia

    dEthiopia and Somalia
80. Question 80 · History and Culture

    Near which one of the following cities are Palitana Temples located?

    aBhavnagar

    bMount Abu

    cNasik

    dUjjain
81. Question 81 · International Relations and Current Affairs

    Which one of the following countries won the Euro Football Tournament, 2004 held in Portugal?

    aItaly

    bFrance

    cGreece

    dPortugal
82. Question 82 · Geography

    In order of their distances from the Sun, which of the following planets lie between Mars and Uranus?

    aEarth and Jupiter

    bJupiter and Saturn

    cSaturn and Earth

    dSaturn and Neptune
83. Question 83 · International Relations and Current Affairs

    Cristina Kirchner succeeded her husband to become President of a South American country. Which is that country?

    aChile

    bArgentina

    cColombia

    dVenezuela
84. Question 84 · History and Culture

    Who was the Viceroy of India when the Rowlatt Act was passed?

    aLord Irwin

    bLord Reading

    cLord Chelmsford

    dLord Wavell
85. Question 85 · International Relations and Current Affairs

    In the year 2007, an earthquake led to massive radioactive water leakage in the largest nuclear plant in the world. In which country did it occur?

    aGermany

    bCanada

    cJapan

    dUSA
86. Question 86 · Economy and Social Development

    What is the approximate percentage of persons above 65 years of age in India's current population?

    a14–15%

    b11–12%

    c8–9%

    d5–6%
87. Question 87 · Science and Technology

    Which one of the following is a spacecraft?

    aApophis

    bCassini

    cSpitzer

    dTechSar
88. Question 88 · Science and Technology

    In which one of the following locations is the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project to be built?

    aNorthern Spain

    bSouthern France

    cEastern Germany

    dSouthern Italy
89. Question 89 · Science and Technology

    What is the purpose of the US Space Agency's Themis Mission, which was recently in the news?

    aTo study the possibility of life on Mars

    bTo study the satellites of Saturn

    cTo study the colourful display of high latitude skies

    dTo build a space laboratory to study the stellar explosions
90. Question 90 · Environment and Ecology

    Out of all the Biosphere Reserves in India, four have been recognized on the World Network by UNESCO. Which one of the following is not one of them?

    aGulf of Mannar

    bKanchenjunga

    cNanda Devi

    dSunderbans
91. Question 91 · Geography

    Which two countries follow China and India in the decreasing order of their populations?

    aBrazil and USA

    bUSA and Indonesia

    cCanada and Malaysia

    dRussia and Nigeria
92. Question 92 · Economy and Social Development

    Amongst the following States, which one has the highest percentage of rural population to its total population (on the basis of the Census, 2001)?

    aHimachal Pradesh

    bBihar

    cOrissa

    dUttar Pradesh
93. Question 93 · International Relations and Current Affairs

    Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists: List-I (Organization) A. Amnesty International B. Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) C. Danube Commission D. European Space Agency List-II (Associated Convention/Person/Place/Headquarters) 1. Viskuli 2. Paris 3. Peter Benenson 4. Belgrade Convention

    aA B C D 3 1 4 2

    bA B C D 4 2 3 1

    cA B C D 3 2 4 1

    dA B C D 4 1 3 2
94. Question 94 · International Relations and Current Affairs

    Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists: List-I (Person) A. K. P. Singh B. Vikram Pandit C. Roopa Farooki D. Kishore Biyani List-II (Area) 1. Banking 2. Fiction writing 3. Retail business 4. Real estate

    aA B C D 4 2 1 3

    bA B C D 3 1 2 4

    cA B C D 3 2 1 4

    dA B C D 4 1 2 3
95. Question 95 · Environment and Ecology

    Where was the World Summit on Sustainable Development (Rio + 10) held?

    aDavos

    bNova Scotia

    cJohannesburg

    dShanghai
96. Question 96 · Environment and Ecology

    Consider the following statements:

    1. 1.Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) in respect of carbon credits is one of the Kyoto Protocol Mechanisms.
    2. 2.Under the CDM, the projects handled pertain only to the Annex-I countries.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    a1 only

    b2 only

    cBoth 1 and 2

    dNeither 1 nor 2
97. Question 97 · Geography

    Which of the following are among the million-plus cities in India on the basis of data of the Census, 2001?

    1. 1.Ludhiana
    2. 2.Kochi
    3. 3.Surat
    4. 4.Nagpur

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    a1, 2 and 3 only

    b2, 3 and 4 only

    c1 and 4 only

    d1, 2, 3 and 4
98. Question 98 · Economy and Social Development

    Which of the following are the public sector undertakings of the Government of India?

    1. 1.Balmer Lawrie and Company Ltd.
    2. 2.Dredging Corporation of India
    3. 3.Educational Consultants of India Ltd.

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    a1 and 2 only

    b2 and 3 only

    c1 and 3 only

    d1, 2 and 3
99. Question 99 · Polity and Governance

    Under which one of the following Constitution Amendment Acts, four languages were added to the languages under the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India, thereby raising their number to 22?

    aConstitution (Ninetieth Amendment) Act

    bConstitution (Ninety-first Amendment) Act

    cConstitution (Ninety-second Amendment) Act

    dConstitution (Ninety-third Amendment) Act
100. Question 100 · Polity and Governance

     Consider the following statements: The Constitution of India provides that

     1. 1.The Legislative Assembly of each State shall consist of not more than 450 members chosen by direct election from territorial constituencies in the State
     2. 2.A person shall not be qualified to be chosen to fill a seat in the Legislative Assembly of a State if he/she is less than 25 years of age

     Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

     a1 only

     b2 only

     cBoth 1 and 2

     dNeither 1 nor 2
101. Question 101 · Polity and Governance

     Which of the following is/are included in the Directive Principles of State Policy?

     1. 1.Prohibition of traffic in human beings and forced labour
     2. 2.Prohibition of consumption except for medicinal purposes of intoxicating drinks and of other drugs which are injurious to health

     Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

     a1 only

     b2 only

     cBoth 1 and 2

     dNeither 1 nor 2
102. Question 102 · Economy and Social Development

     How is the United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference wherein the agreements were signed to set up IBRD, GATT and IMF, commonly known?

     aBandung Conference

     bBretton Woods Conference

     cVersailles Conference

     dYalta Conference
103. Question 103 · Science and Technology

     Where was the first desalination plant in India to produce one lakh litres freshwater per day based on low temperature thermal desalination principle commissioned?

     aKavaratti

     bPort Blair

     cMangalore

     dValsad
104. Question 104 · Science and Technology

     Which of the following pairs are correctly matched? Institute — Location

     1. 1.National Centre for Cell Science : Mysore
     2. 2.Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics : Hyderabad
     3. 3.National Brain Research Centre : Gurgaon

     Select the correct answer using the code given below:

     a1, 2 and 3

     b1 and 2 only

     c2 and 3 only

     d1 and 3 only
105. Question 105 · Science and Technology

     With which one of the following is BRIT (Government of India) engaged?

     aRailway Wagons

     bInformation Technology

     cIsotope Technology

     dRoad Transport
106. Question 106 · Basic Numeracy

     Which one of the following is the correct sequence in respect of the Roman numerals—C, D, L and M?

     aC > D > L > M

     bM > L > D > C

     cM > D > C > L

     dL > C > D > M
107. Question 107 · Science and Technology

     Who among the following scientists shared the Nobel Prize in Physics with his son?

     aMax Planck

     bAlbert Einstein

     cWilliam Henry Bragg

     dEnrico Fermi
108. Question 108 · History and Culture

     Who among the following translated the Autobiography of Madam Curie in Hindi?

     aAtal Bihari Vajpayee

     bLal Bahadur Shastri

     cChoudhary Charan Singh

     dGobind Vallabh Pant
109. Question 109 · Economy and Social Development

     Among the following, which one has the minimum population on the basis of data of Census of India, 2001?

     aChandigarh

     bMizoram

     cPuducherry

     dSikkim
110. Question 110 · Science and Technology

     Consider the following statements in respect of a jet engine and a rocket:

     1. 1.A jet engine uses the surrounding air for its oxygen supply and so is unsuitable for motion in space.
     2. 2.A rocket carries its own supply of oxygen in the gas form, and fuel.

     Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

     a1 only

     b2 only

     cBoth 1 and 2

     dNeither 1 nor 2
111. Question 111 · Science and Technology

     Which one of the following laser types is used in a laser printer?

     aDye laser

     bGas laser

     cSemiconductor laser

     dExcimer laser
112. Question 112 · Science and Technology

     Consider the following statements:

     1. 1.A widely used musical scale called diatonic scale has seven frequencies.
     2. 2.The frequency of the note Sa (स) is 256 Hz and that of Ni (नी) is 512 Hz.

     Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

     a1 only

     b2 only

     cBoth 1 and 2

     dNeither 1 nor 2
113. Question 113 · Science and Technology

     What are Rubies and Sapphires chemically known as?

     aSilicon dioxide

     bAluminium oxide

     cLead tetroxide

     dBoron nitride
114. Question 114 · Science and Technology

     Which one of the following is also called Stranger Gas?

     aArgon

     bNeon

     cXenon

     dNitrous oxide
115. Question 115 · Science and Technology

     Mixture of which one of the following pairs of gases is the cause of occurrence of most of the explosions in mines?

     aHydrogen and oxygen

     bOxygen and acetylene

     cMethane and air

     dCarbon dioxide and methane
116. Question 116 · Science and Technology

     Which one of the following pairs of metals constitutes the lightest metal and the heaviest metal, respectively?

     aLithium and mercury

     bLithium and osmium

     cAluminium and osmium

     dAluminium and mercury
117. Question 117 · Economy and Social Development

     How much is one barrel of oil approximately equal to?

     a131 litres

     b159 litres

     c257 litres

     d321 litres
118. Question 118 · History and Culture

     Who among the following Gandhian followers was a teacher by profession?

     aA. N. Sinha

     bBraj Kishore Prasad

     cJ. B. Kriplani

     dRajendra Prasad
119. Question 119 · History and Culture

     Which one of the following was a journal brought out by Abul Kalam Azad?

     aAl-Hilal

     bComrade

     cThe Indian Sociologist

     dZamindar
120. Question 120 · History and Culture

     Where was the First Session of the Indian National Congress held in December 1885?

     aAhmadabad

     bBombay

     cCalcutta

     dDelhi
121. Question 121 · Science and Technology

     Which of the following pairs is/are correctly matched?

     1. 1.Francis Collins — Mapping human genome
     2. 2.Sergey Brin : Google Search Engine
     3. 3.Jimmy Wales — Wikipedia

     Select the correct answer using the code given below:

     a1 and 2 only

     b2 and 3 only

     c3 only

     d1, 2 and 3
122. Question 122 · Economy and Social Development

     What does S & P 500 relate to?

     aSupercomputer

     bA new technique in e-business

     cA new technique in bridge building

     dAn index of stocks of large companies
123. Question 123 · Economy and Social Development

     Rajiv Gandhi National Flying Institute is being established in which State?

     aKarnataka

     bMaharashtra

     cKerala

     dOrissa
124. Question 124 · International Relations and Current Affairs

     Who among the following has been the Captain of the Indian team in Cricket Test Matches for the maximum number of times?

     aSunil Gavaskar

     bMansur Ali Khan Pataudi

     cSaurav Ganguly

     dMohammad Azharuddin
125. Question 125 · History and Culture

     Who among the following wrote the poem, Subh-e Azadi?

     aSahir Ludhiyanvi

     bFaiz Ahmed Faiz

     cMuhammad Iqbal

     dMaulana Abul Kalam Azad
126. Question 126 · Basic Numeracy

     How can the height of a person who is six feet tall be expressed (approximately) in nanometres?

     a183 × 10⁶ nanometres

     b234 × 10⁶ nanometres

     c183 × 10⁷ nanometres

     d234 × 10⁷ nanometres
127. Question 127 · Science and Technology

     A person is sitting in a car which is at rest. The reaction from the road at each of the four wheels of the car is R. When the car runs on a straight level road, how will the reaction at either of the front wheels vary?

     aIt will be greater than R

     bIt will be less than R

     cIt will be equal to R

     dIt shall depend on the material of the road
128. Question 128 · Geography

     With which one of the following rivers is the Omkareshwar Project associated?

     aChambal

     bNarmada

     cTapi

     dBhima
129. Question 129 · International Relations and Current Affairs

     Consider the following statements:

     1. 1.The Nuclear Suppliers Group has 24 countries as its members.
     2. 2.India is a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group.

     Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

     a1 only

     b2 only

     cBoth 1 and 2

     dNeither 1 nor 2
130. Question 130 · Science and Technology

     In the context of the Indian defence, what is ‘Dhruv’?

     aAircraft-carrying warship

     bMissile-carrying submarine

     cAdvanced light helicopter

     dIntercontinental ballistic missile
131. Question 131 · International Relations and Current Affairs

     ‘Hand-in-Hand 2007’, a joint anti-terrorism military training was held by the officers of the Indian Army and officers of Army of which one of the following countries?

     aChina

     bJapan

     cRussia

     dUSA
132. Question 132 · Science and Technology

     Assertion (A): In human body, liver has an important role in fat digestion. Reason (R): Liver produces two important fat-digesting enzymes.

     aBoth A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation of A

     bBoth A and R are individually true but R is not the correct explanation of A

     cA is true but R is false

     dA is false but R is true
133. Question 133 · Science and Technology

     Assertion (A): In the visible spectrum of light, red light is more energetic than green light. Reason (R): The wavelength of red light is more than that of green light.

     aBoth A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation of A

     bBoth A and R are individually true but R is not the correct explanation of A

     cA is true but R is false

     dA is false but R is true
134. Question 134 · Science and Technology

     Assertion (A): Radio waves bend in a magnetic field. Reason (R): Radio waves are electromagnetic in nature.

     aBoth A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation of A

     bBoth A and R are individually true but R is not the correct explanation of A

     cA is true but R is false

     dA is false but R is true
135. Question 135 · History and Culture

     Assertion (A): The Congress Ministries in all the provinces resigned in the year 1939. Reason (R): The Congress did not accept the decision of the Viceroy to declare war against Germany in the context of the Second World War.

     aBoth A and R are individually true and R is the correct explanation of A

     bBoth A and R are individually true but R is not the correct explanation of A

     cA is true but R is false

     dA is false but R is true
136. Question 136 · Science and Technology

     Among the following, which one lays eggs and does not produce young ones directly?

     aEchidna

     bKangaroo

     cPorcupine

     dWhale
137. Question 137 · Science and Technology

     The release of which one of the following into ponds and wells helps in controlling the mosquitoes?

     aCrab

     bDogfish

     cGambusia fish

     dSnail
138. Question 138 · Polity and Governance

     Which Schedule of the Constitution of India contains special provisions for the administration and control of Scheduled Areas in several States?

     aThird

     bFifth

     cSeventh

     dNinth
139. Question 139 · Polity and Governance

     Department of Border Management is a Department of which one of the following Union Ministries?

     aMinistry of Defence

     bMinistry of Home Affairs

     cMinistry of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways

     dMinistry of Environment and Forests
140. Question 140 · Polity and Governance

     For which one of the following reforms was a Commission set up under the Chairmanship of Veerappa Moily by the Government of India?

     aPolice Reforms

     bTax Reforms

     cReforms in Technical Education

     dAdministrative Reforms
141. Question 141 · International Relations and Current Affairs

     Elizabeth Hawley is well-known for her writings relating to which one of the following?

     aHistorical monuments in India

     bRegional dances in India

     cHimalayan expeditions

     dWildlife in India
142. Question 142 · Geography

     In India, how many States share the coastline?

     a7

     b8

     c9

     d10
143. Question 143 · Science and Technology

     Nobel Prize–winning scientist James D. Watson is known for his work in which area?

     aMetallurgy

     bMeteorology

     cEnvironmental protection

     dGenetics
144. Question 144 · Economy and Social Development

     Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists: List-I (Board) A. Coffee Board B. Rubber Board C. Tea Board D. Tobacco Board List-II (Headquarters) 1. Bengaluru 2. Guntur 3. Kottayam 4. Kolkata Code:

     aA-2 B-4 C-3 D-1

     bA-1 B-3 C-4 D-2

     cA-2 B-3 C-4 D-1

     dA-1 B-4 C-3 D-2
145. Question 145 · Environment and Ecology

     Which one among the following has the maximum number of National Parks?

     aAndaman and Nicobar Islands

     bArunachal Pradesh

     cAssam

     dMeghalaya
146. Question 146 · Environment and Ecology

     Among the following, which one is not an ape?

     aGibbon

     bGorilla

     cLangur

     dOrangutan
147. Question 147 · Basic Numeracy

     In how many different ways can all of 5 identical balls be placed in the cells shown above such that each row contains at least 1 ball?

     a64

     b81

     c84

     d108
148. Question 148 · Basic Numeracy

     There are 6 different letters and 6 correspondingly addressed envelopes. If the letters are randomly put in the envelopes, what is the probability that exactly 5 letters go into the correctly addressed envelopes?

     aZero

     b1/6

     c1/2

     d5/6
149. Question 149 · Basic Numeracy

     There are two identical red, two identical black and two identical white balls. In how many different ways can the balls be placed in the cells (each cell to contain one ball) shown above such that balls of the same colour do not occupy any two consecutive cells?

     a15

     b18

     c24

     d30
150. Question 150 · Basic Numeracy

     How many different triangles are there in the figure shown above?

     a28

     b24

     c20

     d16

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2008, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.